AAPEX

AAPEX: The Automotive Aftermarket Trade Show

AAPEX 2026 Adds Entertaining ‘Activations’ to Enhance Attendee Experience

October 21, 2026

Daily prize giveaways, including a Ford F-150, automotive-themed escape rooms, famous movie car exhibits, and more, will foster an atmosphere like no AAPEX show before

LAS VEGAS – October 21, 2026 – The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) announced today several new “activations” attendees will see at the show this year. Activations are interactive exhibits that encourage participation and add an element of entertainment and improve the overall experience for show-goers.

“These activations are part of our efforts to evolve the show and keep it fresh every year,” said Auto Care Association Vice President of Trade Shows and Community Engagement Mark Bogdansky. “We’ve made a lot of changes to the show to facilitate the business side of the event; these activations add fun to the mix and keep attendees engaged on the show floor.”

See photo credits for this image at the bottom.

Among the activations being revealed today are the following:

Daily prize giveaways

AAPEX is giving away some significant prizes every day of the show.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of the show, one lucky winner can choose from one of three prize offerings: a Rolex Luxury Watch package or two tickets to either Super Bowl LXI, the Masters Tournament, or a premier European football match. The tickets include airfare and hotel.

On Thursday, the show is giving away a brand-new Ford F-150.

Winners will be selected at random and announced through the AAPEX mobile app at 6 p.m. local time each day. To enter the daily drawing, winners must scan their conference badge each day at the Roadside Attractions vignette in the AAPEX Forum.

Roadside Attractions

The Roadside Attractions vignette is a multipurpose area featuring lounge seating, coffee, and massage chairs. This area is also where attendees can queue to meet the show’s previously announced celebrity guests, who have scheduled time for photo ops and signing autographs.

NASCAR simulator

Attendees can test their driving skills in a NASCAR simulator. The best performing race time each day of the conference will win two tickets to any NASCAR event they want. The simulator will be located in the AAPEX Forum.

Illustration Intake

AAPEX has commissioned graphic artists to illustrate the mini sessions presented on two AAPEX show floor stages as they happen. These illustrations will be hung later in the Illustration Intake area near the stages. This creates a unique space where attendees can review the information presented in those sessions, network and grab a coffee.

Famous cars

About a half-dozen cars, which were featured in major films or television programs, will be on display throughout the show. Some of the vehicles attendees will find on the show floor are:

  • Pontiac Firebird Trans Am named KITT from the TV series Knight Rider;
  • Ford Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch;
  • Pink Chevy Corvette from the movie Barbie;
  • Delorean from Back to the Future;
  • Mercury Cougar XR-7 from Dusk till Dawn;
  • Dodge Charger R/T from Fast and Furious; and
  • AMC Pacer from Wayne’s World.

Escape rooms

Two different automotive-themed escape rooms will be located near Joe’s Garage. One escape room will have a repair shop theme where players must diagnose the vehicle and select the proper replacement part. The second escape room theme is an auto parts factory, where players must use their knowledge of the automotive supply chain to solve puzzles.

Each escape room can accommodate a team of up to five people. Each challenge lasts about 10 minutes. The facilitator, a Joe’s Garage “employee” named “Sparky” will be present to facilitate and assist teams that get stuck.

Optimum Shop

This “edutainment” style game will challenge attendees to keep their game-based auto repair shop well supplied. Participants will have to attend to customers, order supplies and keep an eye on their shop’s cash flow. As in the real world, supply chain disruptions are likely to emerge as participants play the game to keep it challenging.

A public leaderboard will be on display to foster healthy competition. This game will be located at the Venetian Expo, near AAPEX Stage 3.

Part Art Lounge

Two professional artists will race against the clock to create art – mixed-media murals – out of donated auto parts. AAPEX will later auction the art, with proceeds going to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, which provides aspiring aftermarket professionals with financial support for their education and training. The Part Art Lounge will be located at the footbridge that connects the AAPEX Forum with The Venetian.

Attendee Art Wall

Co-located near the footbridge with the Part Art Lounge is the Attendee Art Wall. This is an interactive, community-building activity where attendees are welcome to indulge in their own creative expression. Acrylic markers will be made available, and a facilitator will be on hand to help those that need it. A fresh new wall will go up every day.

Along with the new activations, attendee favorites will return, including the daily exhibitor booth crawl, automotive-themed flash tattoos at Beers & Gears, networking opportunities, and themed Food Truck Rest Stops all on the expo floor. Attendees can also enjoy automotive artwork in the Scenic Overlook Art Gallery and hear from industry subject matter experts across five show floor stages featuring demonstrations, training, and market insights, forecasts and trends.

“AAPEX 2026 is going to look and feel different, and I think attendees will notice that the moment they walk through the doors,” said MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Vice President of Events Liz Goad. “We’ve put a lot of thought into creating an exciting and engaging environment that offers something for everyone. At its heart, AAPEX is about bringing our industry together to learn, discover new opportunities, build relationships, and do business, while celebrating the people and connections that make the aftermarket such a special community.”

AAPEX mobile app: turn-by-turn navigation

Attendees are encouraged to download the AAPEX 2026 mobile app. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices. This year, the app will provide attendees with turn-by-turn directions to find the exhibitor booths efficiently.

Registration is open for automotive aftermarket professionals; tickets cost $100; register here. Members of the media are eligible for a complimentary pass to AAPEX 2026.

About AAPEX

AAPEX unites the global automotive aftermarket – a market valued at $2.65 trillion worldwide and $599.7 billion in the U.S. – that keeps the world’s 1.61 billion vehicles safely on the road. The annual tradeshow attracts thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world to find new products and innovations, expand business relationships, and advance their team’s skills with world-class technical and business training sessions.

Exhibitors span suppliers, manufacturers, remanufacturers, technology solution providers, and more. Industry buyers that attend include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, quick lube businesses, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.  

With more than 60 years of history, AAPEX is one of the longest-running and largest automotive aftermarket events in the Western Hemisphere. It consistently ranks in the top 1% of U.S. trade shows by leading trade publications, including the Gold 100 Honorees by Trade Show Executive (TSE) and the Top 250 Trade Show List by Trade Show Network News (TSNN). 

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is closed to the general public. 

AAPEX is co-produced by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the Auto Care Association. For more information, visit aapexshow.com or email: [email protected]. 

Media Contact:
Frank Strong
[email protected]

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